BMT gets research grant for Aussie sub

BMT Design and Technology, a BMT Group subsidiary, has secured a research grant in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) for Australia's next-generation submarine, as announced on 10 June.

The funding was secured through the Collaboration Research Grant Scheme of the Australian Defence Science Institute. Over 30 research proposals were submitted for over A$1.4 million in funding.

Through the grant, BMT Design and Technology will work with DSTO and Victoria University to develop evaluation and risk analysis of design solutions, challenges and emerging technologies for the SEA1000 programme for Australia's future submarine.

More specifically, the research project will review potential technologies that can be integrated into the submarine and perform a risk assessment of all the components and subcomponents of the submarine's fire safety system, including fire detection, suppression and prevention, emergency procedures and occupant response/behaviour.

Aidan Depetro, senior engineer, BMT Design & Technology, said: 'Australia's next generation submarine is likely to feature a combination of new and existing technologies which in turn, creates unexplored risks. The severity of those risks, potential mitigation measures and the effectiveness of any proposed controls are all unknown and there has been very little work carried out in this area.'

'This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap and build on our existing assurance, risk analysis and business case services.  Importantly, it provides BMT with the opportunity to offer technical support to the SEA1000 programme which is the aspiration of many engineers within the Australian defence industry, none more than those at BMT.'